Forest Preserve District of Cook County records, Series III: Records from the Departments of Maintenance and Conservation,

ID

MSFPDC09series3

Date [inclusive]

1914-2011

Extent

331.25 Linear feet

Language

English

Abstract

The Forest Preserve District of Cook County was created in 1914 with a mandate to “protect and preserve” the forests of Cook County. By 2004, the district had acquired more than 67,000 acres of forest lands. This collection contains the records of the district and other records that are relevant for the district’s history.

Preferred Citation

Forest Preserve District of Cook County records, Special Collections and University Archives, University of Illinois at Chicago

Series III: Records from the Departments of Maintenance and Conservation, 1914-2011

Scope and Contents note

This sub-series contains the papers collected and stored by the Department of Maintenance and Department of Conservation. They include correspondence, internal memoranda, speeches, items published by FPDCC personnel, and items kept for reference. The files that the Department of Maintenance marked by Roman numerals and that are found in boxes III-1, III-2, III-3, and III-4 of this sub-series are in their original order. The original order for the remainder of the files was impossible to determine. Those folders have been arranged thematically and alphabetically.

water and Pollution Control and Abatement [Congressional Hearing], 1963

III-32

III-485

Water Engineering Projects, 1930, 1949

III-32

III-486

Weed Control, 1946-1954

III-32

III-487

[Wells] Description and List of Private wells, Defense Plan, 1942

III-32

III-488

[Wells] Pump and Well Report, Division 1, 1932-1942

III-32

III-489

[Wells] Pump and Well Report, Divisions 2 and 3, 1939-1943

III-32

III-490

[Wells] Pump and Well Report,, Divisions 4, 5, and 6, 1939-1945

III-33

III-491

[Wells] Wells-Designs and Blueprints, 1935-1941

III-33

III-492

[Wells] Wells-Statistics and Maintenance, 1933-1940

III-33

III-493

Wieboldt foundation, 1956-1960

III-33

III-494

Wilding, Inc., 1955-1967

III-33

III-495

Wilderness Areas--Wildllife File [Federal Government Report], 1949

III-33

III-496

Wildlife--Bibliography, ca.. 1930s, 1940

III-33

III-497

Wildlife Census--Wildlife File, 1940, 1951

III-33

III-498

Wildlife--Conservation--Publicity Clippings, 1945

III-33

III-499

Wildlife Control and Movement, 1945-1960

III-33

III-500

Wildlife File--Animals, 1941-1950

III-33

III-501

Wildlife--General, 1935-1942

III-33

III-502

Wildlife Report Sheets, ca.. 1940s

III-34

III-503

Wildlife Research News, 1941

III-34

III-504

Wildlife File--Vegetation, 1936-1941

III-34

III-505

[Wildlife Conservation Pamphlets], undated

III-34

III-506

Wildlife Restoration Project, McGinnis Slough, 1944-1945

III-34

III-507

William Beecher, 1954-1955

III-34

III-508

Woods Charitable Fund. Inc., 1960-1965

III-34

III-509

Sub-series 2: Roberts Mann papers, 1931-1969 2.5 linear ft.

Scope and Contents note

Roberts Mann, Superintendent of Maintenance and later Superintendent of Conservation for the FPDCC, produced numerous writings during his tenure. This sub-series contains those papers Mann himself elected to keep together, but it in no way represents the totality of Mann’s written output. His voluminous writings and correspondence permeate the entire collection. Mann’s writings cover nearly every imaginable aspect of FPDCC and park operations--he commented on everything from budgeting and policy to the proper design for toilet seats. Many of the documents in this sub-series were papers presented to various organizational gatherings. Still others were published in magazines, newspapers, or professional journals. Most of these folders include a final document, numerous drafts, research materials, and correspondence germane to the topic at hand. Documents are arranged here alphabetically, as the original order was impossible to discern. Descriptive information is included where appropriate.

An important note: the document titled “Archives: Publications in Bob Mann’s Home Library” includes a letter-key index. Those letters were then hand-written on the top of the corresponding document. It appears that these were the documents that Mann considered his most important. Document titles are consistent between Mann’s index and this listing.

Box

Folder

1932 Report-1st By Bob Mann as Supt. Of Maint., 1932

III-35

III-510

1941 Annual Message of President Clayton F. Smith, 1941

III-35

III-511

A Paper on the Danger of Over-Development Under Federal Relief Programs, 1938

III-35

III-512

Accomplishments by Forest Preserve District With Relief Labor, 1931-1934

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 1" [part 1 of 6], undated

III-39

III-642

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 1" [part 2 of 6], undated

III-39

III-643

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 1" [part 3 of 6], undated

III-39

III-644

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 1" [part 4 of 6], undated

III-39

III-645

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 1" [part 5 of 6], undated

III-39

III-646

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 1" [part 6 of 6], undated

III-39

III-647

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 2", (including my Minneapolis speech)" [part 1 of 6], undated

III-39

III-648

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 2", (including my Minneapolis speech)" [part 2 of 6], undated

III-39

III-649

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 2", (including my Minneapolis speech)" [part 3 of 6], undated

III-39

III-650

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 2", (including my Minneapolis speech)" [part 4 of 6], undated

III-39

III-651

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 2", (including my Minneapolis speech)" [part 5 of 6], undated

III-39

III-652

"The Need for Open Land and People, Folder no. 2", (including my Minneapolis speech)" [part 6 of 6], undated

III-39

III-653

[Drafts of Reference Index Cards, folder 1 of 3], ca. 1964

III-39

III-653B

[Drafts of Reference Index Cards, folder 2 of 3], ca. 1964

III-39

III-653C

[Drafts of Reference Index Cards, folder 3 of 3], ca. 1964

III-39

III-653D

Box

[Roberts Mann's Nature Reference Cards], ca. 1960

III-39B

[Roberts Mann's Nature Reference Cards], ca. 1960

III-39C

Sub-series 3: Nature Bulletins, 1945-1965 7.75 linear ft.

Scope and Contents note

From 1945 until 1964 the Conservation Department of the FPDCC sent these one-page bulletins to schools and other interested parties, more or less weekly during the school year. Most were written by Roberts Mann, David Thompson, or Roland Eisenbeis. They are arranged here chronologically (as issued). Some of them contain manuscripts and other materials and sources the authors used for reference. From time-to-time, a nature bulletin generated correspondence from readers. When available, that correspondence is included. Topics are wide-ranging and include general natural and political history, flora, fauna, the development of the FPDCC, and occasional policy statements. From 1964 until 1980 many of the bulletins were re-dated and reprinted, some with minor revisions. Where available, both “editions” are included in each folder.

Nature Bulletin #645 is missing from the collection.

Note to researchers: Almost all of the Nature Bulletins from 1945 to 1964 have been reproduced online by the Division of Educational Programs (DEP) on his “Newton—Ask a Scientist” website. The url for this site is

Sub-series 4: Nature Centers, 2002-2010 0.25 Linear feet

Scope and Contents note

The FPDCC operates six "nature centers" as part of the district's educational mission to work with teachers in and near Cook County. Their mission is to introduce their students to the flora and fauna of the forest preserves. This sub-series contains only one folder provided specifically by one of the nature centers, the Hal Tyrell Trailside Museum.

Scope and Contents note

This sub-series contains those files that the maintenance and conservation departments labeled "historical" or that they kept together because they believed them to be of historical interest. Most of these files pertain to the FPDCC's founding and early years.

Box

Folder

American Institute of Architects, 1928

III-57

III-1421

[Article on Dwight Perkins from Evanston Review], 1965

III-57

III-1422

[Biography of Captain John Whistler], ca. 1965

III-57

III-1423

[Brief and Argument for Appellees, Perkins v. Board of County Commissioners], 1915

[Pamphlet of West Chicago Parks Commissioners on Recreation Centers], 1919

III-59

III-1482

["Planning for Real Estate Activities?World's Fair, 1933"], 1929

III-59

III-1483

[Progress Report by Charles G. Sauers], 1931

III-59

III-1484

[Proposals for Projects], 1946

III-59

III-1485

[Published Material on Dwight Perkins], 1952, 1982

III-59

III-1486

Random Historical Files, ca. 1944

III-59

III-1487

[Reports by Charles G. Sauers and by the Advisory Committee against Predator Reduction Proposal], 1948

III-59

III-1488

[Robert Kingery to John Morrill, with photo], 1935

III-59

III-1489

Sauk Trail-Historical File, 1952

III-59

III-1490

[St. Paul Woods [photo album], ca. 1900-1915

III-59

III-1491

Seldom Inn, Maywood, 1918

III-59

III-1492

["Skokie Lagoon Development"], undated

III-59

III-1493

[Suburban Tribune article on the legacy of the Civilian Conservation Corps], 1979

III-59

III-1494

The Chicago Plan in 1933, 1933

III-59

III-1495

["The European Carp," Jim Keefe], ca. 1950

III-59

III-1496

["Waters Open for Public Fishing," by E. P. Romilly], undated

III-59

III-1497

[Washburn v. F.P.D., reprint of court decision], 1927

III-59

III-1498

["What the School System Expects of the Park System," by James D. Logsdon], 1960

III-59

III-1499

[William Hayes, "Development of the F. P. D.," masters thesis], 1949

III-59

III-1500

William P. Hayes Dissertation about Forest Preserve, 1949

III-59

III-1501

Sub-series 6: Other Media, 1973 - ca. 1999

Scope and Contents

This subs-series contains 32 floppy disks and zip drives of undetermined format and quality. These disks have been organized chronologically according to the date notated on the disk, and alphabetically when no date was listed. Three disks have no title.

The sub-series also includes five (5) films created by the Forest Preserve District. These films have been converted to DVD format for easier viewing and for preservation purposes. Please call ahead to verify they are are available to be viewed.

Finally, the subs-series includes a small piece of correspondence between the band "Me, John, and Dave," and Joe Mollica of the FPDCC. This correspondence concerns the band's wish to perform at a Forest Preserve District function, and contains 1 letter with a photocopy of a newspaper clipping, one large envelope, 1 VHS cassette, 1 audio cassette.

Conditions Governing Use

The floppy disks, zip drives, audio cassettes, and video cassettes in this sub-series may not be available for public viewing because they may not work on all media devices or computers. Please call ahead to verify their availability.

Conditions Governing Use

This audio cassette might not be available for public consultation. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

Audio Cassette III-1

[VHS Cassette]--Me, John and Dave, ca. 1993

Condition Governing Use

This video cassette might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-2

[Computer Disk]--DDIG SP 90; DIG SMR 90, 1990

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-3

[Computer Disk]--DDIG SMR 90, 1990

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-4

[Computer Disk]--DIG FAL 90, 1990

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-5

[Computer Disk]--DIG WT 90; COMMISSIONERS '91, 1990-1991

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-6

[Computer Disk]--NC Programs, 1990-1991

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-7

[Computer Disk]--DDIG SP 91, 1991

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-8

[Computer Disk]--DDIG SMR '91; OFC--CORR., ca. 1991

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-11

[Computer Disk]--YOC--Certificates, Roster; Wild Day, July 31, 1992

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-14

[Computer Disk]--Public Programs; Crabtree N.C., 1993

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-15

[Computer Disk]--Correspondence LTR, MO, etc., 1994

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-16

[Computer Disk]--Cover letter, 1999 Research Summary, 1999

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-18

[Computer Disk]--Bak Up CAD DWG's, undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-20

[Computer Disk]--FPD SEAL, FPD SEAL 2, undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-22

[Computer Disk]--Lotus Works; Spreadsht files; Bak up, undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-24

[Computer Disk]--YOC Rainforest; Group Golf, undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-26

[Computer Disk]--[unidentified disk, first of three], undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-27

[Computer Disk]--[unidentified, second of three], undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-28

[Computer Disk]--[unidentified, third of three], undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-29

[Computer Disk / "zip" disk]--Burn Brochure, undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-30

[Computer Disk / "zip" disk]--Deer Brochure, undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-31

[Computer Disk / "zip" disk]--Land Management Brochure, undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-36

[Computer Disk]--[unidentified disk], undated

Condition Governing Use

This disk might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Box III-60

FPDCC DISK III-37

[DVD Video / Movie]--"Cook County's Wooded Wonderland", ca. 1925

Oversize

Disk

Moving Images

Box III-60

FPDCC DVD III-1B [Mac Only]

Oversize

Disk

Moving Images

Box III-60

FPDCC DVD III-1B [MAC and PC]

Condition Governing Use

This DVD might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

[DVD Video / Movie]--"Outdoor Education Film", ca. 1956

Oversize

Disk

Moving Images

Box III-60

FPDCC DVD III-2B [MAC only]

Oversize

Disk

Moving Images

Box III-60

FPDCC DVD III-2B [MAC and PC]

Condition Governing Use

This DVD might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

[DVD Video / Movie]--"This Is Your Land", undated

Oversize

Disk

Moving Images

Box III-60

FPDCC DVD III-3B [MAC only]

Oversize

Disk

Moving Images

Box III-60

FPDCC DVD III-3B [MAC and PC]

Condition Governing Use

This DVD might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

Condition Governing Use

This DVD might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.

[DVD Video / Movie]--"Forest Preserve T.V. Spots", ca. 1973

Oversize

Disk

Moving Images

Box III-60

FPDCC DVD III-5B [MAC]

Oversize

Disk

Moving Images

Box III-60

FPDCC DVD III-5B [MAC and PC]

Condition Governing Use

This DVD might not be available for public viewing because it may not work on all media devices or the media devices necessary might not be available. Patrons are advised to call ahead to inquire on its availability before visiting the reading room.